I was so glad to attend this month’s special community Veterans Breakfast for All to honor Steve Connor, Director of Central Hampshire Veterans' Services on his retirement and to celebrate his 20+ years of tireless support and advocacy for veterans in Amherst and surrounding communities. This community event is held on the first and third Friday of every month at 8am in Amherst at the Bangs Center. Earlier in the week, my staff director, Lily Stowe-Alekman, attended another celebration for Steve (at his office) on my behalf.
Among his many accomplishments, Steve’s leadership helped to keep the VA Medical Center in Leeds open, respond to the COVID-19 tragedy at the Holyoke Soldiers Home (and be so instrumental in building the new Veterans Home in Holyoke), and create a new model of physician communication tools in working with patients who have a history of military service. But as I noted in my remarks in Amherst, I’ll also always remember and be inspired by his enthusiasm and commitment to meeting the basic needs of individual veterans – whether that meant ensuring that they receive the benefits to which they’re entitled or helping move them into a new home.
Thank you Steve!
NEXT WEEK! I am so excited to join @femgen.amherst next week at the Amherst Regional High School library to talk to students about their ideas, questions, and concerns from 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM. Late buses will run on their normal schedule. All high school students are welcome to come, chat, and have some pizza. RSVP on the QR code in graphic.
It is estimated that approx. 1 million people are living with Multiple Sclerorsis (MS) in the United States. And though there is not yet a cure, there are treatments available to delay or stop progression of this disease and support for those who are living with it. MS is a chronic, often disabling autoimmune disease of the central nervous system and the experience of living with it can be very individualized. This week, I was proud to join State Representative Ted Philips in presenting a resolution from the Massachusetts House of Representatives and signed by 75 legislators, to recognize the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 's annual State Action Day.
The resolution recognizes the organization for their groundbreaking research into Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and their work in supporting those living with MS with treatment, care, wraparound services and resources. Their efforts have helped promote early detection and care and improved the quality of life for many people living with MS.
You can learn more about MS here:
One of the best parts of my job: attending naturalization/citizenship ceremonies. Today’s ceremony was at @umass which has hosted a ceremony for the past several years. Today @umassamherstchancellor spoke about his own citizenship journey. Congratulations to the 193 new citizens and much appreciation to UMass for hosting and the invitation.
THIS SATURDAY! 10am-2pm
Bring the family - open to all ages and abilities!
This free community event honors Eric Tarpinian-Jachym of Granby, whose love of fishing and the outdoors left a lasting impact on the people around him.
Whether you’ve never picked up a fishing rod before or just want a day outside with family and community, this is a great chance to learn and connect. MassWildlife instructors will be on site helping people learn how to set up rods, tie knots, and cast. No license or experience needed.
Fishing gear will be available to borrow, and food and drinks will be provided. The event is fully accessible. Directions here: /maps/place/1048+N+Rd,+Westfield,+MA+01085/@42.1795144 ,-72.6926463,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e6df9352b6c091:0x6ef9dca9f1571c75!8m2!3d42.1796433!4d-72.6897645!16s%2Fg%2F11bw3hy_db?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDUwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
May 3-9 is children's mental health week and this morning I had the delight, as House Chair of the joint committeeee on mental health, substance use and recovery, to join advocates from Parent/Professional Advocacy League to dress the ducklings sculpture (as in Make Way for Ducklings!) in Boston Garden with green ribbons for mental health awareness month. It was a great opportunity to recognize and appreciate the advocates and caregivers who help educate all of us, increase our awareness around the urgent needs in children's mental health, and work to dismantle the stigma associated with these efforts.
Local public service is esssential to the operation of our towns and the demoracy in our commonwealth. It was my honor last night to join Jennifer Pickering from @senatorjakeoliveira 's office and Rep. Homar Gomez to honor and recognize the service of Granby Select Board member Glenn Sexton with citations from the Massachusetts House and Senate. Glenn has served nine years on the Select Board with knowledge, commitment, and patience. Thank you, Glenn!
A free press is fundamental to our democracy and for 50 years @amherstmedia has provided the Amherst community with opportunities to share our voice and our stories. A local press is critical to civic engagement and responsibility, and Amherst Media has kept Amherst residents connected to local government’s decisions and actions for a half a century. I’m grateful for the role they play in keeping us informed and connected. It was great to join so many community members and emcee @montebelmonte to celebrate it’s 50th anniversary - - and to provide Amherst Media with citations from Senator Comerford (the state senate), @massgovernor Healey and myself (the Massachusetts House). The cherry on top was also celebrating this year’s recipient of the Jean Haggerty Award for Community Service, @repmcgovern
Our monthly office hours have been scheduled! Come and drop in and share a suggestionon, question or concern with Rep. Domb. If you have a time sensitive matter, please don't wait for these scheduled times. Call or reach out to our office at your convenience.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! I'm very proud to serve as the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery. Over the past several years, the House and legislature has led in creating policies to expedite connection to care, building the behavioral health workforce to increase treatment providers, allocating funding for mental health resources across the Commonwealth, and fighting back against stigma and stigmatizing language.
You can learn more about the committee's work this session here: https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J18/194/Bills/asc/EntityNumber/?current=False&pageNumber=2
A few weeks ago at Amherst's Global Village festival, I stopped by the @joneslibamherst station and shouted out my love for librarians with Mia Cabana, head of @joneslibkids - I'll take every opportunity to show them my appreciation!
The end of budget week also marked our State House intern Ava's last day with our team for this semester. Ava has been an incredible asset to our office, assisting with policy research, creating social media graphics, and helping manage our constituent outreach on the budget and policy requests. Thank you Ava and stay in touch!
